Alex arrived at the training ground on Tuesday morning. He was not carrying a plastic bag this time. He was carrying a heavy, velvet-lined case.
He walked into the locker room. It was seven forty-five. Bastian early.
Bastian was there, foam rolling his quads. He stopped when he saw the case.
"The Golden Boy returns," Bastian grunted. "Do you need a special chair for it? Or perhaps a small throne?"
"It stays in the case, Bastian," Alex said, sliding it into his locker.
"Good," Bastian said. "Gold is heavy. It slows you down."
The door flew open. Mark sprinted in. He was wearing sunglasses, even though it was raining outside.
"WHERE IS IT?" Mark yelled. "WHERE IS THE BABY?"
"It is in the locker, Mark," Alex sighed.
Mark ran over. "Open it! I need to see my reflection in the gold! I need to absorb its power!"
Alex opened the locker. The golden ball trophy gleamed under the fluorescent lights.
